Messi hot on Raúl's heels

Messi delivered, as always, in an otherwise uninspired match for Barça. The striker scored three goals and tied up the game in which the 'Azulgrana' side never really got into its stride. He has already scored nine goals this season, the hat-trick against Ajax taking him to just nine shy of Raúl's Champions League total.

The former Real Madrid forward scored 71 goals in the Champions League. Messi has already netted 62. And he is only 26. Let's face it, Raúl's record is in serious jeopardy.

Messi scored the first goal from a direct free kick, not something he often does. The last time he did the same during a Champions League tie was against Dynamo Kiev in 2009 and it marks the eleventh time he has scored from a free kick over the course of his career.